Hi All, Today we had our first 'adventure'. Not in the rugged backwoods sense, though. We tried out the 'People Mover', Anchorage's bus system. We caught the bus literally right out front of our apartment building and rode into 'downtown'.
Our plan was to see some of the downtown museums. When we got off in downtown, we went into shopping mode first and window shopped our way up and down 4th, 5th & 6th street. Downtown is like any other city, really, just a bit more touristy. Also, in one direction you can see the Sound, and in the other, beautiful and majestic mountain range. So that's a little different!
After shopping and some tea, we went to the Achorage Museum which was half history of Alaska & half history of the Iditerod dogsled race. It was pretty good. Then we crossed the street and took in the Russian Orthodox Museum. It was a combination of R.O. church, coffee shop and "garage-band" level museum. It's worth stopping to see. There's a long and interesting history of the presence of Russians & the R.O. church in alaska. It only takes a few minutes and you'll not feel like you wasted it.
Afterwards, we had a reindeer sausage sandwich at a little place called 'Big Al's taste of Russia'. It was good and heavy if you're a meat-eater like me. Big Al's from Philadelphia, our neck of the woods & he served in the Airborne, so say 'hi' and thank him for his service.
We took in the open-air market on 3rd street then. It reminded us of the hokey festivals we knew and loved in PA! We bought some blueberry jam, made in AK.
Then we took the People-mover home to relax our aching dogs.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Here at Last!
Jane here.
And I do mean 'here'. I am finally with Art, in Alaska. Our stuff, most of it at least, lingers in Pa, but we are finally here together. It is so good to be together again - I didn't quite let myself feel how much I missed him, but I feel so much better being back together with him. We spent yesterday hanging around together and he showed me some of Anchorage. We didn't see the sights yet, other than what is all around, but rather our apartment, where he works, the grocery store that he thinks will suit us best, etc. We are hoping to do some touristy stuff this weekend, but if not, we will have time later.
First impressions of Alaska: it is very beautiful, and it is cooler than it would be in Pa right now. Anchorage itself is a bit more spacious, more spread out than most east coast cities are. There are very few tall buildings, most are only 2 or 3 stories, I suppose because of earthquakes, which are not wildly infrequent around here. There are gorgeous sights to see in almost every direction, most notably the mountains. They are much sharper peaks than in the east, and all still have snow about halfway down their sides. The air is much clearer here, and I think you can see farther than you can in PA.
I still catch myself thinking of PA as 'home' now and again, which is not unreasonable, as it was home for quite some time - my whole life, in fact. However, I am settling in quite nicely to this new home, and looking forward to the adventure!
And I do mean 'here'. I am finally with Art, in Alaska. Our stuff, most of it at least, lingers in Pa, but we are finally here together. It is so good to be together again - I didn't quite let myself feel how much I missed him, but I feel so much better being back together with him. We spent yesterday hanging around together and he showed me some of Anchorage. We didn't see the sights yet, other than what is all around, but rather our apartment, where he works, the grocery store that he thinks will suit us best, etc. We are hoping to do some touristy stuff this weekend, but if not, we will have time later.
First impressions of Alaska: it is very beautiful, and it is cooler than it would be in Pa right now. Anchorage itself is a bit more spacious, more spread out than most east coast cities are. There are very few tall buildings, most are only 2 or 3 stories, I suppose because of earthquakes, which are not wildly infrequent around here. There are gorgeous sights to see in almost every direction, most notably the mountains. They are much sharper peaks than in the east, and all still have snow about halfway down their sides. The air is much clearer here, and I think you can see farther than you can in PA.
I still catch myself thinking of PA as 'home' now and again, which is not unreasonable, as it was home for quite some time - my whole life, in fact. However, I am settling in quite nicely to this new home, and looking forward to the adventure!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
O Happy Day!
Art here. All is right with the world again! Yesterday, I picked up Jane at the airport. We are here together in our new home. We spent the rest of the day reconnecting & I took the day off work so we could spend time together. We're going to go out and see the town together and do a bit of shopping.
i can't tell you how good it is to finally be back together! It's like being a complete person again. Now, at last, Alaska feels like home.
i can't tell you how good it is to finally be back together! It's like being a complete person again. Now, at last, Alaska feels like home.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Moving Day!
Art here. At long last it's moving day back in PA. I just spoke to Jane on the phone and She said the movers are there packing our stuff. All is going well. Now our things will be trucked off to the docks to begin their epic journey through the Panama Canal to Alaska. We are going to have some very well-traveled stuff.....
The really good news is that after it's all packed, Jane can get on the plane to AK!!!!!
The really good news is that after it's all packed, Jane can get on the plane to AK!!!!!
Monday, May 26, 2008
Setting up a home
Art in AK, here. It just amazes me how much stuff you need to get just to set up a basic semblence of a home. Today I went shopping, again! It was another trip that required several passes from trunk to apartment to get all the stuff in. Let's see if I can make a partial list; Bed, microwave, toaster, coffee-maker, towels, shower-curtain, TV, VCR-DVD, Laptop, tray, chairs, laundry-basket, mop, dustpan, trash cans, lamp, hangers, basic medicines, pots and pans, utensils, bowls, cups, telephone/answering machine, pillows, sheets, blanket. whew! Guys, appreciate your mom's & wives who do all this without thanks and make it look easy.
However, I have it easy compared to Jane. She's in the last run-up before the movers arrive. There are just hours left for her to get ready. Then there's the move itself. (It's a stress to image strangers will have control over your stuff for the next 4-6 weeks) Then, She's got the all-day air-flight ordeal. I did it already but her's is longer, being a different airline.
Still, I can't wait to see her. Only 52 hours till she's here! Soon we'll be typing our blog side-by-side.
However, I have it easy compared to Jane. She's in the last run-up before the movers arrive. There are just hours left for her to get ready. Then there's the move itself. (It's a stress to image strangers will have control over your stuff for the next 4-6 weeks) Then, She's got the all-day air-flight ordeal. I did it already but her's is longer, being a different airline.
Still, I can't wait to see her. Only 52 hours till she's here! Soon we'll be typing our blog side-by-side.
Jane.
I'd say "here", but I'm disassociating. Really I'm somewhere else. Possibly Tahiti. It's a hollow shell of me throwing out vitamins and bathrugs and dragging everything else into discrete piles on the floor.
Final final push now. Movers coming tomorrow. Must focus.
There's nothing quite like a day like this, where I deliberately set my alarm because today really is the final day. Trash must go in trash bags and moved out of the way, or else I'll be paying to sail it through the Panama Canal. The lawn must be mowed. Anything that going ashore must go there today. Now. Right now. Really.
So what did I do? Hit snooze. And again. For two hours. Then I got up, made coffee, and surfed for 3 hours. 3 hours! I got stuck on James Lilek's website, but really that's where I stopped when I hit the procrastinate button. It was 11 o'clock before I did a single useful thing.
Talked to Art and whinged about how much I have to do and how little gumption I have within me to acheive all this. While talking to him I wandered about and managed to fill up a couple of garbage bags. So he inspired me to get a start. After we hung up, the gumption supply had advanced to the point where I could face the lawn, so I did that, and then gave the lawnmower and it's accessories and support system to the neighbor who wanted it. While I was doing that, the neighbor who is supposed to be getting the grill disappeared, so I couldn't really roll it over to his house. That will have to wait. Filled several boxes with food and house supplies and sent out a final email to friends and family members to come and get what I have left. Whatever no one will take is going in the trash. I don't even care any more.
The oddest things are not getting takers. I have a full set of Bailey's coffee cups and a pot and sugar bowl and creamer. Can't pay people to take them away. I think they are kind of cute, but we never use them. They are the one thing we have that is too 'cute' to use. Well, they are up to the curb if there aren't any takers. I find myself resenting them now. Stupid smug winking coffee cups. Go to hell.
Well, the thing to focus on is that after tomorrow is over, God willing I will be with Art again. I miss him a lot, in ways I wouldn't have imagined before this move.
I'd say "here", but I'm disassociating. Really I'm somewhere else. Possibly Tahiti. It's a hollow shell of me throwing out vitamins and bathrugs and dragging everything else into discrete piles on the floor.
Final final push now. Movers coming tomorrow. Must focus.
There's nothing quite like a day like this, where I deliberately set my alarm because today really is the final day. Trash must go in trash bags and moved out of the way, or else I'll be paying to sail it through the Panama Canal. The lawn must be mowed. Anything that going ashore must go there today. Now. Right now. Really.
So what did I do? Hit snooze. And again. For two hours. Then I got up, made coffee, and surfed for 3 hours. 3 hours! I got stuck on James Lilek's website, but really that's where I stopped when I hit the procrastinate button. It was 11 o'clock before I did a single useful thing.
Talked to Art and whinged about how much I have to do and how little gumption I have within me to acheive all this. While talking to him I wandered about and managed to fill up a couple of garbage bags. So he inspired me to get a start. After we hung up, the gumption supply had advanced to the point where I could face the lawn, so I did that, and then gave the lawnmower and it's accessories and support system to the neighbor who wanted it. While I was doing that, the neighbor who is supposed to be getting the grill disappeared, so I couldn't really roll it over to his house. That will have to wait. Filled several boxes with food and house supplies and sent out a final email to friends and family members to come and get what I have left. Whatever no one will take is going in the trash. I don't even care any more.
The oddest things are not getting takers. I have a full set of Bailey's coffee cups and a pot and sugar bowl and creamer. Can't pay people to take them away. I think they are kind of cute, but we never use them. They are the one thing we have that is too 'cute' to use. Well, they are up to the curb if there aren't any takers. I find myself resenting them now. Stupid smug winking coffee cups. Go to hell.
Well, the thing to focus on is that after tomorrow is over, God willing I will be with Art again. I miss him a lot, in ways I wouldn't have imagined before this move.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Jane here...
It's Sunday in Pa. I'm on a final push getting ready for the movers, so I have a lot to do, but yet not that much. I still have to sort through some things and get rid of a bunch of stuff. It's only when you go to move that you realize how much stuff you accumulate, without even meaning to.
In going through the cooking utensils, I realized that wait, yes, I DO have some heirloom devices. Specifically, I have a potato masher and a pastry cutter from my grandmother. They're light, so they can stay. ;) Everything else goes, though. Or almost everything. I find myself clinging to the oddest little things. Then I think - I got rid of our sofa. I got rid of half of my books MY TERRY PRATCHETT BOOKS ARE GONE! Surely I can keep this garlic roaster. Yes, it's light. It's coming with us.
But most of the big hurdles are gone. Both our cars are sold and gone. All the big items of furniture that we're getting rid of are gone to relatives or neighbors or charity. If everything continues on as it needs to, I will be with Art soon - I can't wait! This long weekend is lonely without him, but I've got lots to do while I wait. As he says, we are talking a lot, like hours a day, which helps.
It's Sunday in Pa. I'm on a final push getting ready for the movers, so I have a lot to do, but yet not that much. I still have to sort through some things and get rid of a bunch of stuff. It's only when you go to move that you realize how much stuff you accumulate, without even meaning to.
In going through the cooking utensils, I realized that wait, yes, I DO have some heirloom devices. Specifically, I have a potato masher and a pastry cutter from my grandmother. They're light, so they can stay. ;) Everything else goes, though. Or almost everything. I find myself clinging to the oddest little things. Then I think - I got rid of our sofa. I got rid of half of my books MY TERRY PRATCHETT BOOKS ARE GONE! Surely I can keep this garlic roaster. Yes, it's light. It's coming with us.
But most of the big hurdles are gone. Both our cars are sold and gone. All the big items of furniture that we're getting rid of are gone to relatives or neighbors or charity. If everything continues on as it needs to, I will be with Art soon - I can't wait! This long weekend is lonely without him, but I've got lots to do while I wait. As he says, we are talking a lot, like hours a day, which helps.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Art here. It's saturday now here in AK, the first day of a long weekend. I'm spending this one alone for the first time in our marriage. Sigh. It's very lonely here. Jane & I spoke on the phone quite a bit today, which is good, but it's not the same as being together.
It's also cold and rainy. Although that sounds dismal, it's some of my favorite weather. I find it cool, refreshing and peaceful.
Today's progress; Our new mattress & box-spring arrived today. The bed they go on will not arrive for 6 weeks or so (in fact, it hasn't even left PA yet, Jane's sleeping on it as I write). But at least I have a real bed to sleep on now. The air mattress from Sears (yes, we have Sears here) is quite comfortable but has a "temporary" feel to it. It will serve now as our couch until we find a better.
Also in the news, Our Netflix account is now reinstated. At least I've got some videos to watch while I miss my Dear One.
Today is also my first day in AK where I don't need to leave home for any reason. I'm taking this opportunity to relax & recharge from the 'go-go-go' of the last 2 weeks.........
It's also cold and rainy. Although that sounds dismal, it's some of my favorite weather. I find it cool, refreshing and peaceful.
Today's progress; Our new mattress & box-spring arrived today. The bed they go on will not arrive for 6 weeks or so (in fact, it hasn't even left PA yet, Jane's sleeping on it as I write). But at least I have a real bed to sleep on now. The air mattress from Sears (yes, we have Sears here) is quite comfortable but has a "temporary" feel to it. It will serve now as our couch until we find a better.
Also in the news, Our Netflix account is now reinstated. At least I've got some videos to watch while I miss my Dear One.
Today is also my first day in AK where I don't need to leave home for any reason. I'm taking this opportunity to relax & recharge from the 'go-go-go' of the last 2 weeks.........
Thursday, May 22, 2008
One other curiosity I forgot to mention, Anchorage is a desert. Seriously. Despite 70" of snow a year (buffalo, NY gets 160!), all its rain and all the snow-melt, it is technically a desert. I'm noticing dryer skin already and almost daily nose-bleeds. Travellers beware. Pack your moisturizer and chapstick and remember to drink alot.
Second curiosity; I got a package deal from the local cable guys, GCI. Cable Internet, Telephone and HiDef TV. The net and TV are up and running but the phone will take another week to activate! A week! What's up with that?
In other news, I bought us a queen-sz mattress & box today. It'll be 6 weeks or so until our bed arrives, but darn it, we'll be ready!
Second curiosity; I got a package deal from the local cable guys, GCI. Cable Internet, Telephone and HiDef TV. The net and TV are up and running but the phone will take another week to activate! A week! What's up with that?
In other news, I bought us a queen-sz mattress & box today. It'll be 6 weeks or so until our bed arrives, but darn it, we'll be ready!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hi All, I'm back online!
It's been a harrowing few days! I got out of the dingy hotel, got into our new apartment, bought a car & mastered my depression. Yes, I hit rock bottom facing the enormity of our new life and the abscence of my ally, Jane. She talked me through the worst of it and I feel I've turned a corner of sorts. I still miss her powerfully but I'm feeling more stable. The little guy in my head who wants to run for the airport is all but vanquished.
Our new car is a Chevy Cavalier. I'm told they're good on gas-milage and with studded-snows will do fine in the winter. There is a nice bus system in town called the "people mover". With any luck we may be able to park the car for most of winter and commute on mass transit. With gas prices going up every day it sounds to me like smart. We do make gas here, I'm told there's a refinery near Fairbanks, but, our gas is just as expensive as in the lower 48.
The apartment is almost totally bare right now. I got us an inflatable bed, A TV, A vcr/dvd & a chair. That's it. The kitchen now has a microwave & a toaster so I can cook 'bachelor-chow'.
The weather continues to be right nice. 30s at night, 50s in the day with plenty of sun. i mean plenty, it's light until about 11pm and the sun comes back up at 5am! I'm told that during high summer there will be 19+ hours of daylight.
The cable internet is now online so i'm blogging at the speed of light!
It's now less than a week until Jane arrives. What a great day that'll be!
I got a pizza delivered for dinner tonight & surfed on my new hi-speed I-net. Here's why that's newsworthy; in our park that we're moving out of in PA, the pizza places wouldn't deliver because there were too many houses and the cable company wouldn't wire us for hi-speed because there weren't enough homes interested. Sooooooo; in order to get pizza delivery and cable-internet, we had to move to Alaska! Once again, so much for the ice-flow & whale-blubber crowd.......
more later
It's been a harrowing few days! I got out of the dingy hotel, got into our new apartment, bought a car & mastered my depression. Yes, I hit rock bottom facing the enormity of our new life and the abscence of my ally, Jane. She talked me through the worst of it and I feel I've turned a corner of sorts. I still miss her powerfully but I'm feeling more stable. The little guy in my head who wants to run for the airport is all but vanquished.
Our new car is a Chevy Cavalier. I'm told they're good on gas-milage and with studded-snows will do fine in the winter. There is a nice bus system in town called the "people mover". With any luck we may be able to park the car for most of winter and commute on mass transit. With gas prices going up every day it sounds to me like smart. We do make gas here, I'm told there's a refinery near Fairbanks, but, our gas is just as expensive as in the lower 48.
The apartment is almost totally bare right now. I got us an inflatable bed, A TV, A vcr/dvd & a chair. That's it. The kitchen now has a microwave & a toaster so I can cook 'bachelor-chow'.
The weather continues to be right nice. 30s at night, 50s in the day with plenty of sun. i mean plenty, it's light until about 11pm and the sun comes back up at 5am! I'm told that during high summer there will be 19+ hours of daylight.
The cable internet is now online so i'm blogging at the speed of light!
It's now less than a week until Jane arrives. What a great day that'll be!
I got a pizza delivered for dinner tonight & surfed on my new hi-speed I-net. Here's why that's newsworthy; in our park that we're moving out of in PA, the pizza places wouldn't deliver because there were too many houses and the cable company wouldn't wire us for hi-speed because there weren't enough homes interested. Sooooooo; in order to get pizza delivery and cable-internet, we had to move to Alaska! Once again, so much for the ice-flow & whale-blubber crowd.......
more later
Jane here again...
Art is still making good progress getting our new home setup. Next stop - cable internet! He will be posting again soon.
Another thing people say to me when they find out about the move is either "You must be brave" or "Be brave now". In case they think I'm going to be living on an ice floe somewhere, I generally venture "Well, we'll be in Anchorage. It's a pretty modern city..." Then they shake their heads and repeat the "brave" comment. I always make some non-commital sound or agree with them, but it makes me wonder. Why brave? Do 86% of all new Alaskan get eaten by wolves or something? If this is indeed the case, I missed the CNN.com article.
Art is still making good progress getting our new home setup. Next stop - cable internet! He will be posting again soon.
Another thing people say to me when they find out about the move is either "You must be brave" or "Be brave now". In case they think I'm going to be living on an ice floe somewhere, I generally venture "Well, we'll be in Anchorage. It's a pretty modern city..." Then they shake their heads and repeat the "brave" comment. I always make some non-commital sound or agree with them, but it makes me wonder. Why brave? Do 86% of all new Alaskan get eaten by wolves or something? If this is indeed the case, I missed the CNN.com article.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Jane again
Art's going to be offline for a few days. He's in our new apartment and won't have reliable internet access for a few day. He had an incredibly productive couple of days - got into the apartment, got a car (but can't pick it up yet - has to get block heater installed). Started to get car insurance, but ran into a Catch-22 situation where he can't get insurance until they have a VIN #, and can't pick up the car until he has insurance...
I, on the other hand, have made great progress in handling little nit-picky aspects of the move. I started going through our stuff on the smaller scale and with a more critical eye. Went through my craft stuff and separated out the things I will actually use from the things that are kind of neat but which I haven't done anything with in the past 10 years and so am unlikely to need now. That kind of sorting is great for this weekend, as it is rainy and quiet. Also making a third pass through my books, of which I suddenly realize I have an inordinant amount. By these means I have saved us shipping out maybe a hundred pounds or so, not an inconsiderably saving considering the shipping rates.
Got Art to describe the town of Anchorage for me yesterday after he got back to our new house. It sound beautiful, and I can't wait to get there!
Got a few nibbles of interest on my car, but nothing solid. I will need it right up until the end of this coming week, and then need to get rid of it within the next couple of days. Anyone interested in an interestingly colored Kia Rio?
Art's going to be offline for a few days. He's in our new apartment and won't have reliable internet access for a few day. He had an incredibly productive couple of days - got into the apartment, got a car (but can't pick it up yet - has to get block heater installed). Started to get car insurance, but ran into a Catch-22 situation where he can't get insurance until they have a VIN #, and can't pick up the car until he has insurance...
I, on the other hand, have made great progress in handling little nit-picky aspects of the move. I started going through our stuff on the smaller scale and with a more critical eye. Went through my craft stuff and separated out the things I will actually use from the things that are kind of neat but which I haven't done anything with in the past 10 years and so am unlikely to need now. That kind of sorting is great for this weekend, as it is rainy and quiet. Also making a third pass through my books, of which I suddenly realize I have an inordinant amount. By these means I have saved us shipping out maybe a hundred pounds or so, not an inconsiderably saving considering the shipping rates.
Got Art to describe the town of Anchorage for me yesterday after he got back to our new house. It sound beautiful, and I can't wait to get there!
Got a few nibbles of interest on my car, but nothing solid. I will need it right up until the end of this coming week, and then need to get rid of it within the next couple of days. Anyone interested in an interestingly colored Kia Rio?
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Jane again...
Art got our apartment yesterday. He sent me pictures, and it looks pretty neat, so that's great. He's going to have a few big shopping trips for the things we need to have right away, and to replace essentials we're not taking with us, but then hopefully he can settle into a kind of a routine soon. There are a lot of little things we aren't taking. Spatulas and colanders and that sort of thing - if they were treasured heirloom spatulas from my grandmothers maybe, but we don't have much of that nature. So I give them to Goodwill here and get different ones from Goodwill there. One things that's been a boon to us in this move is our tendency to get furniture without much $ value and fix it up. It's made it really easy to just get rid of it. When you've picked up a side table at the side of the road and washed it and spray painted it silver (to add that special touch) it's hard to justify paying to ship it to Alaska. You just put it back by the side of the road and move on. I recently read an interesting book on the subject That Might Be Useful by Naton Leslie, and one of his theories about living your life with second-hand sensibilities is that while you tend to have more respect for stuff, you also get less attached to some of it. I'm finding it's true for the most part. There are still some things I can't let go of, but most of the stuff is just stuff.
Art got our apartment yesterday. He sent me pictures, and it looks pretty neat, so that's great. He's going to have a few big shopping trips for the things we need to have right away, and to replace essentials we're not taking with us, but then hopefully he can settle into a kind of a routine soon. There are a lot of little things we aren't taking. Spatulas and colanders and that sort of thing - if they were treasured heirloom spatulas from my grandmothers maybe, but we don't have much of that nature. So I give them to Goodwill here and get different ones from Goodwill there. One things that's been a boon to us in this move is our tendency to get furniture without much $ value and fix it up. It's made it really easy to just get rid of it. When you've picked up a side table at the side of the road and washed it and spray painted it silver (to add that special touch) it's hard to justify paying to ship it to Alaska. You just put it back by the side of the road and move on. I recently read an interesting book on the subject That Might Be Useful by Naton Leslie, and one of his theories about living your life with second-hand sensibilities is that while you tend to have more respect for stuff, you also get less attached to some of it. I'm finding it's true for the most part. There are still some things I can't let go of, but most of the stuff is just stuff.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Alaska Art Checking in,
Today is exactly one week since I walked out of our house in PA, never to return. It's been 10 days since I last held my Jane. It seems like so long ago. I'm VERY hopeful that she'll be here with me soon. Her job may delay her arrival for up to 3 weeks or she may be here in 9 days. We don't know yet.
I'm moving into our apartment tomorrow. I hope we're happy there but, in reality, it's just temporary until we have some time to check out the Real Estate market. There ARE some very nice places to live in town, we just don't have time right now search, shop and close. Next year at this time, though.......
I had a discussion at work today at about wireless internet and where to get the best wireless routers. So much for all of you who think there's nothing here but whale blubber. Anchorage is very high tech.
The guys at work also told me that minor earthquakes are pretty common here. Nothing damaging, just interesting. I also heard that a nearby (30-40 miles away) volcano gave them a start a few years back. They were covering up all the electronics at night and masks were issued. The locals just laughed it off.
I got a few good leads on used cars today. I'm hoping to have our new car on Saturday.
I just got off the phone with my Jane. What a joy and boost to my morale to hear her confidence and common sense. This move is huge and scarey until I talk to her, then my fears abate. I still have this little guy in the back of my head, though, saying "flee", "go home", "what have you done". But he's an idiot and we're ignoring him.
Today is exactly one week since I walked out of our house in PA, never to return. It's been 10 days since I last held my Jane. It seems like so long ago. I'm VERY hopeful that she'll be here with me soon. Her job may delay her arrival for up to 3 weeks or she may be here in 9 days. We don't know yet.
I'm moving into our apartment tomorrow. I hope we're happy there but, in reality, it's just temporary until we have some time to check out the Real Estate market. There ARE some very nice places to live in town, we just don't have time right now search, shop and close. Next year at this time, though.......
I had a discussion at work today at about wireless internet and where to get the best wireless routers. So much for all of you who think there's nothing here but whale blubber. Anchorage is very high tech.
The guys at work also told me that minor earthquakes are pretty common here. Nothing damaging, just interesting. I also heard that a nearby (30-40 miles away) volcano gave them a start a few years back. They were covering up all the electronics at night and masks were issued. The locals just laughed it off.
I got a few good leads on used cars today. I'm hoping to have our new car on Saturday.
I just got off the phone with my Jane. What a joy and boost to my morale to hear her confidence and common sense. This move is huge and scarey until I talk to her, then my fears abate. I still have this little guy in the back of my head, though, saying "flee", "go home", "what have you done". But he's an idiot and we're ignoring him.
Jane again...
So much to do! I got a few more rooms cleaned and a little more stuff organized...and then looked at everything else there is to do. The movers will be here in about a week, so whatever isn't cleared out by then is going. I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks being over and done with and getting to Alaska to be with Art. Right now it's all about the elaborate flowcharts...first this has to happen, then that can happen, which in turn will allow this other thing to take place...unless this possibility takes place, in which case...
This is trivial, but my preoccupation now is with the two levels of packing that need to happen. Immediate needs stuff gets thrown in a couple of suitcases and comes with me on a plane. Everything else goes on the boat. So of the things that we are keeping and not getting rid of, I find myself standing there looking at some random object, silently questioning its value. Sure, I think, I'll need a pair of shoes. Just one? Why not? On the other hand, maybe 2? Why any? Surely there are shoes in Alaska. But do I want to spend good money on something I already have some of? But what will they cost to ship? At some point I just have to open a beer and put on some music and just put stuff in boxes. There is such a thing, I'm finding, as thinking too much.
So much to do! I got a few more rooms cleaned and a little more stuff organized...and then looked at everything else there is to do. The movers will be here in about a week, so whatever isn't cleared out by then is going. I'm looking forward to the next couple of weeks being over and done with and getting to Alaska to be with Art. Right now it's all about the elaborate flowcharts...first this has to happen, then that can happen, which in turn will allow this other thing to take place...unless this possibility takes place, in which case...
This is trivial, but my preoccupation now is with the two levels of packing that need to happen. Immediate needs stuff gets thrown in a couple of suitcases and comes with me on a plane. Everything else goes on the boat. So of the things that we are keeping and not getting rid of, I find myself standing there looking at some random object, silently questioning its value. Sure, I think, I'll need a pair of shoes. Just one? Why not? On the other hand, maybe 2? Why any? Surely there are shoes in Alaska. But do I want to spend good money on something I already have some of? But what will they cost to ship? At some point I just have to open a beer and put on some music and just put stuff in boxes. There is such a thing, I'm finding, as thinking too much.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Art here,
Jane & I were just talking on the phone. I miss her so much that just hearing her voice is like gold. I'm not a real emotional guy but I'll tell you, I cried.
The good news toaday is that We've got us an appartment! I move in Friday & we will have an actual address in Alaska. This is the very important first step, until which not much else can happen. Now I can buy a car, get a PO box, get bank accounts and begin to aquire permanent stuff, like pots, pans, a microwave, a coffee-maker......... a bed!
So, I'm going to real busy in the next few days. Saturday I'm going car shopping, getting us a bank and a PO Box.
I'm going to try out a new church on Sunday. I'm trying to find one just like my old one in PA. I'm confident The Lord will lead me to a good place.
Work is going well. I'm learning alot and getting along with everyone. I think this job is going to make me better at what I do. I thank God for the opportunity.
Everyone, so far in AK, is very polite. Even the driving. There's alot of traffic sometimes but the 'road-jerks' we're so accustomed to in PA are not here. It's a welcome change. The atmosphere is also,.......slower, more layed-back. In the Northeast, we're all 'go-go-GO!', 'get out of my way', 'hurry'!!!! But here it's calmer and less hectic. We may have some trouble adjusting to that. Suddenly, the jerk on the road is me. LOL
I was going to start blogging in my journal, but I'm re-reading it tonight and seeing that it's mostly personal and is mostly me whinging & whinning about how much I miss my Jane, and about how much I need to do. (The word 'overwhelming' appears in there alot). So I won't go there. I'll just keep to my impressions of AK vs. PA.
I really think we're going to be happy here. It's beautiful country with nice folks in it. I'm really looking forward to sharing the adventure with Jane! The transition/separation period will soon be behind us. Then the real adventure begins.
Jane & I were just talking on the phone. I miss her so much that just hearing her voice is like gold. I'm not a real emotional guy but I'll tell you, I cried.
The good news toaday is that We've got us an appartment! I move in Friday & we will have an actual address in Alaska. This is the very important first step, until which not much else can happen. Now I can buy a car, get a PO box, get bank accounts and begin to aquire permanent stuff, like pots, pans, a microwave, a coffee-maker......... a bed!
So, I'm going to real busy in the next few days. Saturday I'm going car shopping, getting us a bank and a PO Box.
I'm going to try out a new church on Sunday. I'm trying to find one just like my old one in PA. I'm confident The Lord will lead me to a good place.
Work is going well. I'm learning alot and getting along with everyone. I think this job is going to make me better at what I do. I thank God for the opportunity.
Everyone, so far in AK, is very polite. Even the driving. There's alot of traffic sometimes but the 'road-jerks' we're so accustomed to in PA are not here. It's a welcome change. The atmosphere is also,.......slower, more layed-back. In the Northeast, we're all 'go-go-GO!', 'get out of my way', 'hurry'!!!! But here it's calmer and less hectic. We may have some trouble adjusting to that. Suddenly, the jerk on the road is me. LOL
I was going to start blogging in my journal, but I'm re-reading it tonight and seeing that it's mostly personal and is mostly me whinging & whinning about how much I miss my Jane, and about how much I need to do. (The word 'overwhelming' appears in there alot). So I won't go there. I'll just keep to my impressions of AK vs. PA.
I really think we're going to be happy here. It's beautiful country with nice folks in it. I'm really looking forward to sharing the adventure with Jane! The transition/separation period will soon be behind us. Then the real adventure begins.
Jane here.
I miss Art very much, too. It's lonely here without him, and as I get rid of more and more stuff, the house gets emptier and more echoey. Sigh. Anyone who has been happily married for any length of time will know what I mean when I say that I have lost count of the times each day I start to tell him something, and then remember he's not here right now.
This end of the move is going in fits and starts. Remembering every magazine that has to get forwarded; every service that has to be turned off; every person, place and thing that needs to be notified of an address change is just the start of it. Moving to Alaska versus moving anywhere else is an interesting comparison. For example, you can't just call any old mover. Our stuff is basically getting shipped around the continent and through the Panama canal. Which means it will be better-travelled than we are in the month or month and a half it will take for it to reach us. Why don't I just load it in a U-Haul and drive it there? No passport is why. Plus it would probably wind up costing just as much and being considerably more of a hassle. Part of the moving charge is weight, so it's been an interesting experiment to see how much we have decided we can do without, though. Throwing things (or giving them away) out has become my favorite thing to do.
Then there are the cell phones. We were just going about our business, cheerfully talking away with our family plan, when suddenly someone mentioned to Art that roaming charges can be up to $5 a minute. !!!!! An extremely calm Verizon customer-service dude reassured me that we are covered, no roaming. They have coverage, at least in Anchorage, and we can just change our numbers when we get there. Whew! Then there's the insurance. I called our insurance guy to let him know the changes that were coming up, and he basically told me they don't write insurance in Alaska. This is a major insurer, so that was a surprise. But Art has a line on another carrier, so it's not such a big deal. Ya win some, ya lose some.
The house is listed, so hopefully it will sell soon. Anyone interested in a reasonably priced house in Eastern Pennsylvania?
I miss Art very much, too. It's lonely here without him, and as I get rid of more and more stuff, the house gets emptier and more echoey. Sigh. Anyone who has been happily married for any length of time will know what I mean when I say that I have lost count of the times each day I start to tell him something, and then remember he's not here right now.
This end of the move is going in fits and starts. Remembering every magazine that has to get forwarded; every service that has to be turned off; every person, place and thing that needs to be notified of an address change is just the start of it. Moving to Alaska versus moving anywhere else is an interesting comparison. For example, you can't just call any old mover. Our stuff is basically getting shipped around the continent and through the Panama canal. Which means it will be better-travelled than we are in the month or month and a half it will take for it to reach us. Why don't I just load it in a U-Haul and drive it there? No passport is why. Plus it would probably wind up costing just as much and being considerably more of a hassle. Part of the moving charge is weight, so it's been an interesting experiment to see how much we have decided we can do without, though. Throwing things (or giving them away) out has become my favorite thing to do.
Then there are the cell phones. We were just going about our business, cheerfully talking away with our family plan, when suddenly someone mentioned to Art that roaming charges can be up to $5 a minute. !!!!! An extremely calm Verizon customer-service dude reassured me that we are covered, no roaming. They have coverage, at least in Anchorage, and we can just change our numbers when we get there. Whew! Then there's the insurance. I called our insurance guy to let him know the changes that were coming up, and he basically told me they don't write insurance in Alaska. This is a major insurer, so that was a surprise. But Art has a line on another carrier, so it's not such a big deal. Ya win some, ya lose some.
The house is listed, so hopefully it will sell soon. Anyone interested in a reasonably priced house in Eastern Pennsylvania?
Art from AK
Hi All, this is Art. I'm already up here in Anchorage and working at my new job. Alaska is very beautiful. The mountains east of the city are constantly in view and are spectacular. I hope I never get tired of the view or take it for granted.
Being up here by myself, i'm finding, is a bit hard. I miss Jane terribly. There is a definite feeling of isolation here. It's not just because of the distance ( it took 1 day to fly here) but mostly because of the time difference. I'm 4 hours behind, so I loose all contact from about 6pm on.
There are some other peculiarities too. Right now, it's light out from about 5am till about 10pm. I'm told it makes sleeping difficult but I haven't seen that yet, I'm still a bit jet-lagged. They locals tell me there are only two seasons here; "winter" and "construction". The former is long, cold and dark, the later is marked by traffic tie-ups. The housing market is a bit goofy too. Since there are alot of transients (especially military personell) and folks who can't hack the climate, there is alot of turn-around in both the job market and in housing. Appartments are particularly hard to find now as the warm season is starting.
We decided to start with an appartment, at least for the first year, first, to see if we can hack the cold and dark of winter, second, to give us time to check out the real estate market. I've been living in a hotel since I got here and don't have time to wait for a closing anyway.
The weather has been nice. It's 30s in the morning, 50s for the highs. It's been rainy a bit but when the sun is out, it feels very warm to me, like more of it's heat gets through up here. As Jane said, we're winter-people, so I'm looking forward to living here in the 'scandanavia' of America.
There's a great deal that IS familiar here though; Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, and other signs of civilization. Really it's like any other American city.
Being up here by myself, i'm finding, is a bit hard. I miss Jane terribly. There is a definite feeling of isolation here. It's not just because of the distance ( it took 1 day to fly here) but mostly because of the time difference. I'm 4 hours behind, so I loose all contact from about 6pm on.
There are some other peculiarities too. Right now, it's light out from about 5am till about 10pm. I'm told it makes sleeping difficult but I haven't seen that yet, I'm still a bit jet-lagged. They locals tell me there are only two seasons here; "winter" and "construction". The former is long, cold and dark, the later is marked by traffic tie-ups. The housing market is a bit goofy too. Since there are alot of transients (especially military personell) and folks who can't hack the climate, there is alot of turn-around in both the job market and in housing. Appartments are particularly hard to find now as the warm season is starting.
We decided to start with an appartment, at least for the first year, first, to see if we can hack the cold and dark of winter, second, to give us time to check out the real estate market. I've been living in a hotel since I got here and don't have time to wait for a closing anyway.
The weather has been nice. It's 30s in the morning, 50s for the highs. It's been rainy a bit but when the sun is out, it feels very warm to me, like more of it's heat gets through up here. As Jane said, we're winter-people, so I'm looking forward to living here in the 'scandanavia' of America.
There's a great deal that IS familiar here though; Wal-Mart, McDonalds, Barnes & Noble, and other signs of civilization. Really it's like any other American city.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I'm Jane, writing on behalf of myself and Art, who is already in Alaska. We are moving to Anchorage from Pennsylvania. It's kind of a big deal for us, as we have moved before, but only within about a 30 mile radius. Why we're doing this is both simple and complicated. The simple explanation is that Art got a good job there that he is really excited about. The complicated reasons even we don't completely understand yet.
When we tell people we are moving to Alaska, we get one of two reactions: 1) Wow! That is SO COOL! I would LOVE to move to Alaska. or 2) OMG, are you running from the law? Why would you want to do that? The pro-people always cite some of the same things we are excited about - the cold (we are winter people), the Northern Lights, the ability to explore glaciers and see whales more or less at will, etc. The anti- people also have a common set of remarks - the cold, the remoteness, and the curious conviction that there is nothing to eat in Anchorage but whale blubber. I suppose we thought of starting this blog so that we can record what this experience is really like, and also test the reality of these two widely varying viewpoints on Alaska. Also, to chart the progress of the move, which I suspect will be harder in some ways and easier in others than I can even begin to understand right now. Anyway, hope it is of interest to others who might be thinking of making the jump, or can't even begin to understand why you would want to.
This is our story...
When we tell people we are moving to Alaska, we get one of two reactions: 1) Wow! That is SO COOL! I would LOVE to move to Alaska. or 2) OMG, are you running from the law? Why would you want to do that? The pro-people always cite some of the same things we are excited about - the cold (we are winter people), the Northern Lights, the ability to explore glaciers and see whales more or less at will, etc. The anti- people also have a common set of remarks - the cold, the remoteness, and the curious conviction that there is nothing to eat in Anchorage but whale blubber. I suppose we thought of starting this blog so that we can record what this experience is really like, and also test the reality of these two widely varying viewpoints on Alaska. Also, to chart the progress of the move, which I suspect will be harder in some ways and easier in others than I can even begin to understand right now. Anyway, hope it is of interest to others who might be thinking of making the jump, or can't even begin to understand why you would want to.
This is our story...
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